Energy Flow in Ecosystems

The video explains energy flow in ecosystems, highlighting the roles of producers, consumers, and decomposers. It details how energy from the sun enters the ecosystem through producers and is transferred through trophic levels, with significant energy loss as heat at each level. Decomposers break down dead materials, contributing to energy flow. An example of a simple ecosystem illustrates these concepts, showing energy reduction at each trophic level. The video concludes with a summary of these processes.

What are the three main components of an ecosystem?

• Plants, animals, and bacteria

• Sunlight, water, and nutrients

• Producers, consumers, and decomposers

• Water, air, and soil

What percentage of the sun's energy is captured by producers?

• 90%

• 1%

• 10%

• 50%

What is the primary source of energy for an ecosystem?

• Soil

• The sun

• Wind

• Water

What happens to the energy that is not captured by producers?

• It is stored in the soil

• It dissipates into space

• It evaporates water

• It is used by decomposers

What happens to most of the energy as it moves from producers to primary consumers?

• It is stored as fat

• It is lost as heat

• It is converted to water

• It is used for growth

How much energy is typically lost as heat when moving from one trophic level to the next?

• 90%

• 10%

• 100%

• 50%

What is the primary role of decomposers in an ecosystem?

• To provide shelter

• To break down dead materials

• To consume producers

• To produce energy

Which organisms are considered decomposers?

• Plants and algae

• Bacteria and fungi

• Herbivores and carnivores

• Birds and mammals

In a simple ecosystem, what is the energy intake of secondary consumers like snakes?

• 1000 kilocalories

• 100 kilocalories

• 10 kilocalories

• 1 kilocalorie

What is the energy intake of tertiary consumers such as eagles in the given example?

• 0.1 kilocalorie

• 100 kilocalories

• 10 kilocalories

• 1 kilocalorie